Pubdate: Thu, 31 Jan 2008 Source: Honolulu Advertiser (HI) Copyright: 2008 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. Contact: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/195 Author: John Penebacker ADMINISTRATION SHOULD PAY FOR DRUG TESTING At the Jan. 24 meeting, Board of Education members voted 7-0 against taking money from the Department of Education budget to fund drug testing of teachers, counselors, librarians and others in HSTA Unit 5. For some, their vote came down to opposing using money from schools and students to pay for drug testing. For others, the vote came down to the philosophical or practical merits of drug testing. There may be other reasons as well. If we're going to have random drug testing in our public education system, let it be for all employees, not just teachers. As a 33-year military veteran, undergoing random drug testing was part of the job. It comes down to ensuring the safety of others and self. My granddaughter's third-grade reading teacher recently pled guilty to possession and distribution of drugs. I believe the focus should be on the safety of students. The administration should stand by its commitment to include drug testing in the contractual agreement with HSTA. The administration should fund drug testing. Drug testing should not be an unfunded mandate. More importantly, the money should not come from schools. John Penebacker Board of Education member - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart